The London Irish Rifles was formed in December 1859 and at that time was known as the 28th Middlesex (London Irish) Rifle Volunteer Corps. Numbered among the ranks of its first members were the Marquesses of Donegall and Conyngham, the Earls of Arran and Belmore, and also former Prime Minster, Lord Palmerston, who, at the age of 76, joined as a private soldier.
Over the course of its history, the London Irish Rifles has gained 66 battle honours, during the Boer War and in both World Wars – probably the Regiment’s most famous battle honour was gained in September 1915 at the Battle of Loos, when men of the London Irish Rifles kicked a football into German trenches, thereafter entering immortality as ‘The Footballers of Loos’. This event is commemorated by the Regimental Association every year on Loos Sunday at Connaught House.
The Great War.
“Festubert, 1915” “Loos“ “Somme, 1916,’18“ “Flers-Courcelette” “Morval” “Le Transloy” “Messines, 1917” “Ypres, 1917“ “Langemarck, 1917” “Cambrai, 1917“ “St Quentin” “Bapaume, 1918” “Ancre, 1918” “Albert, 1918” “Pursuit to Mons” “France and Flanders, 1915-18” “Doiran, 1917” “Macedonia, 1916-17” “Gaza” “El Mughar” “Nebi Samwil” “Jerusalem” “Jericho” “Jordan” “Palestine, 1917-18“.
Second World War.
“Bou Arada“ “El Hadjeba” “Stuka Farm” “Heidous” “North Africa, 1942-43” “Lentini” “Simeto Bridgehead” “Adrano” “Centuripe” “Salso Crossing” “Simeto Crossing” “Malletto” “Pursuit to Messina” “Sicily, 1943” “Termoli” “Trigno” “Sangro“ “Fossacesia” “Teano” “Monte Camino” “Calabritto” “Garigliano Crossing“ “Damiano” “Anzio“ “Carroceto” “Cassino II” “Casa Sinagoga” “Liri Valley” “Trasimene Line” “Sanfatucchio” “Coriano” “Croce” “Senio Floodbank” “Rimini Line” “Ceriano Ridge” “Monte Spaduro” “Monte Grande” “Valli di Comacchio” “Argenta Gap“ “Italy, 1943-45“.
Battle honours in bold are included on our Regimental Standard.
HISTORIC EVENTS FROM 1859 TO THE CURRENT DAY
Read about the Regimental history of the London Irish Rifles here.
Some of the momentous events in which the London Irish Rifles have taken part.
THE FIRST WORLD WAR
From March 1915 to November 1918, two Battalions of the London Irish Rifles gained 25 Battle Honours in actions across northern France, Belgium, Greece, and in the Middle East.
First World War links.
THE SECOND WORLD WAR
From November 1942 to May 1945, two Battalions of the London Irish Rifles gained 40 battle honours in actions throughout the Middle East, North Africa, Sicily and mainland Italy, before taking part in post war peace keeping duties in northern Italy and Austria.
We have added extensive details of the vital part both the battalions played during these campaigns, including excerpts from the Regimental History, Rolls of Honour, and also links to war diaries, personal narratives, and citations for Honours and Awards of men who served with the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the London Irish Rifles during the Second World War.
Second World War links.
ORIGINS OF THE CAUBEEN
Reasons for the Regiment’s wearing of the Caubeen here.
ROLL OF HONOUR
London Irish Riflemen killed during the Boer War and two World Wars.
